In 2002 and 2005 respectively, Then and Now—Words in the Dark and From Now to Then were published by Menard Press as the first two parts of W. D. Jackson’s work-in-progress on the individual and history, Then and Now. In the meantime, extracts from the third part of the work, Opus 3, have appeared in a wide variety of magazines and in three selections, Boccaccio in Florenceand Other Poems (Shearsman), A Giotto Triptych and Afterwords (both Shoestring). With ‘contributions’ in the form of translations, adaptations and quotations from ancient and modern authors such as Ovid, Boccaccio, Dante, Chaucer, Villon, Wordsworth, Heine, Rilke, W. G. Sebald, Opus 3—now published in its entirety— explores the emotional/physical and ethical/spiritual aspects of our lives, emphasizing and exemplifying throughout the responsibility of each of us for his or her choices and, communally, for the world we live in.

Then and Now—Words in the Dark (2002): “In these days, when so much poetry is solipsism, it is refreshing to read a poem that attempts something larger, to examine cultural history and the individual’s place within the system … and forces one to consider whether one agrees with it. Add to that, it is exciting and entertaining…” – Roland John, Acumen

From Now to Then (2005): “… a stunning work of astonishing versatility. Jackson is at ease with a whole gamut of verse-forms, styles and techniques.” – Matt Simpson, Stride

“From Now to Then continues an ambitious, serious, subtle, intelligent, humorous, wide-ranging long poem… Both personal and political, metaphysically and psychologically reflective, this is a major on-going work.” – Glyn Pursglove, Acumen

Boccaccio in Florence (2009): “A richly layered book. Scrupulous, intent, ambitious… It is the interweaving of life and art … which gives Jackson’s work its authority and fundamental optimism.” – Lawrence Sail, The Warwick Review

“Afterwords [2014] is splendid—learned, disturbing, moving. And sometimes very funny…” – John and Hilary Wakeman (The Shop)

“… there are many English translations [of Rilke] but none except W.D. Jackson’s that seem entirely satisfying.” – Peter McCarey, Choose an Angel and Pick a Fight (2013)

W. D. Jackson was born in Liverpool in 1947. He has lived and worked in Italy and South Germany since 1972.

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